Summer Slam is considered the second biggest show of the year behind Wrestlemania, so the expectations are high. Highlighted by a TLC match for the World Title and the return of DX, this show promises to deliver. Here is a preview.
Jack Swagger vs. MVP
This match should be an interesting contrast in styles between Swagger's mat wrestling skills and MVP's more physical, brawling type style. They have faced off twice on Raw. Swagger won the first clean and MVP won the second by DQ. That shows right there who the company is higher on.
Prediction: Jack Swagger
Kane vs. The Great Khali
This one will not be a thing of beauty. Kane can still have good matches with the right opponent but not with the lumbering Khali. They would be wise to keep this one short, let both guys hit their big moves early and head straight for the finish. Kane is likely to continue to show his demented side, perhaps getting DQ'd.
The Great Khali by DQ
Dolph Ziggler vs. Rey Mysterio (Intercontinental Title Match)
These two had a very good match at Night of Champions, where Ziggler put forth a great effort before coming up short. With more familiarity with each other, this match should be even better. Ziggler is one of the brighest young stars in WWE and the company is clearly very high on him. It is time to put the IC title around his waist.
Prediction: Dolph Ziggler
Legacy vs. DX
After a surprising clean loss to Dibiase and Rhodes on Raw, HHH enlisted the help of his old buddy Shawn Michaels for yet another DX reformation. HHH and Shawn work well together as a team as do Dibiase and Rhodes despite their relative inexperience, so this should be a good match and the crowd should pop big for Michaels, who's last match was that classic with the Undertaker at Wrestlemania XXV. The outcome here is a no-brainer. There is no way HHH is losing to Legacy again and no way Shawn is losing his return match.
Prediction: DX
Chris Jericho & Big Show vs. Cryme Tyme (Unified Tag Team Title Match)
Jericho and JTG are likely to wrestle the majority of the match. Jericho is arguably the best wrestler in the world and JTG is a pretty good worker so there should be some fun moments as they build to the eventual battle of the big men between Big Show and Shad. Even though Cryme Tyme is overdue for a Tag Title run, right now there are more possibilities with Jericho and Big Show as the champs, perhaps a program with the newly reunited DX.
Prediction: Jericho & Big Show
William Regal vs. Christian (ECW Title Match)
Regal hasn't done much of note this year and was a surprising choice as the #1 contender. Regal's unorthodox style will be countered by Christian's more exciting, high-flying style. Christian is ECW's top star and it feels like Regal's role here is to make Christian look strong before he moves on to his next opponent.
Prediction: Christian
C.M. Punk vs. Jeff Hardy (TLC World Title Match)
The TLC stipulation is sure to spice up what is likely the final chapter of this rivalry. Both guys are very experienced in Ladder matches and both have been known to take quite a few risks so there should be plenty of exciting moments in this match. Matt is likely to get involved somehow but the question is: Will he help his brother, or hurt him? It was teased on Smackdown that this may be Jeff's last match, at least for now, so it smells like another Matt Hardy turn on his brother. Punk will likely move on to feud with a returning Undertaker.
Prediction: C.M. Punk
Randy Orton vs. John Cena (WWE Title Match)
This one has that big fight feel as these are arguably the two biggest stars in the WWE today. They had an excellent match at this very event two years ago and this should be no different. These two have good chemistry and this should be a fun back and forth match with plenty of false finishes to build the suspense. Given the WWE's propensity for title changes and the fact that Cena rarely, if ever, loses at two consecutive PPVs (he lost last month), the smart money is on Cena here.
Prediction: John Cena
